I Do the Don't

[alyrthia]

Well, shoot me now.  I just read a list of fashion "don'ts" for women over forty, and I'm afraid I'm a sinner.  Truly on the wrong side of decision-making!!!!  I raise my hand and confess.

No horizontal stripes  (throw out the cute green and dark blue narrow stiped t-shirt)
no jeans with low waist  (HAH! My favorite jeans are ones my neice cast off

Comments

[ms_banazira]

Man, do I know what you mean! And the thing I hate about rules? Everybody has their own version of what the rules are. "Don't wear 'mom jeans,'" one says, meaning jeans that sit at the waist. "Don't wear 'low-cut' jeans," another says, meaning what exactly? "Don't wear short jackets, because they draw attention to the rear," says one. "Don't wear long jackets," says the other. I give up!

No, seriously, I give up! I wear what I like, what I feel good in, what's comfortable. If I'm dressed in what pass for "grown-up" clothes I feel like a faker. If I'm dressed in teen-agers' clothes, that doesn't work either. So I make up my own rules, and hang the rest of 'em.

But you're thin and fit enough that I don't think you need worry about most of those rules for over 40's. You also don't have an old face. Be you, because you're just great!

[alyrthia]

You're right! Follow my own rules. This leads me to an inward smile remembering times--actually ESPECIALLY when I was young--that I did this a little too often at the wrong times!! When I was 19 I had to be in charge of my Dad's business when he went on vacation for 3 weeks. I did very well, and was smart about a lot of things--but apparently had no clue as to appropriate dress!! I remember going to a business meeting--one in which we were competing for a bid--in a halter top, flip-flops and a long jeans skirt!! Everyone else was in business suits!! I just hadn't a clue!! Which always leads me to suspect that even though I might be smart in some areas, I might be totally blind in others!!! So most of the time I THINK I'm okay in clothes, but a sneaky part of me wonders if I'm way out of touch with something and making a spectacle of myself. Probably not yet. But am I going to be that funny old woman with the beer can hat? (figuratively speaking) *hee*

Actually, maybe I'd LIKE that!!! *smile*

[ratcityres]

Alyrthia, were you reading Oprah on your trip? Ha Ha. I remember an issue in that magazine last year discussing the same subject. As I'm considering pursuing an "office" career, I think about clothing more, and am starting to pay attention to what women in my age range are wearing at my bus stop.

[alyrthia]

Wow--your entry has a huge long space following the words. It's a quiet place, for deep thinking!! :)

You know, I think that guy's list was originally on Oprah!! They reposted it on AOL frontpage, but mentioned he had been on Oprah!!

You know what I try to remind myself to look at when I watch people downtown? Their shoes!! I always forget to look at the shoes!! So though I have a general idea of what looks right, I don't have it detailed in my brain. We should go vegan shoe window shopping again. You and me.

[wendylady1]

Alyon,
"I need a fashion consultant in my middle age. Wendy? Where are you????"

I'm here, I'm here !!!

I hear this an awful lot from what they used to call 'ladies of a certain age' !!! ie, the same age as me, around the 40-50 mark...and I think that, maybe, the time is ripe for a really good look at what you can wear successfully at our age, and what really should be consigned, sadly, to the Charity shop...
All those rules that you quoted are really more about body-shape than age, but even so, there are still things that you could avoid, only to prevent the mutton-dressed-as-lamb look, which is not a good one to say the least !!

Ultimately, Honey is right though...dress in what you are comfortable wearing, just as long as it's not that ancient sweatshirt and leggings from the 80s...

Anyway, there will be an article coming soon, on exactly this thorny problem...

[alyrthia]

I'm having horrible luck!! I've written you twice--a long reply!!-- and been kicked off before it posted :( I'll have to come back later!!!!

But I'm looking forward to your article!!!